Reusable tamperproof cap for aerosol dispensing containers

ABSTRACT

A reusable, tamperproof cap is provided for an aerosol container having a psray nozzle located in a well in its top. The cap comprises an inner body portion that surrounds and protects the spray nozzle; a circular rim extending radially from the body; and an outer skirt portion that depends from the rim and fits within the interior of the well. Interlocking means comprising a protrusion on the exterior of the skirt that engages a groove in the interior of the well locks the cap in the well and prevents manual removal of the cap from the container without the use of a tool. A vertical opening is provided through the rim so that a suitable prying tool may be inserted downwardly into the vertical space between the cap and the inner side surface of the well, whereupon a downwardly rotating prying action will disengage the interlocking means and remove the cap from the container.

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REUSABLE TAMPERPROOF CAP FOR AEROSOL DISPENSING CONTAINERS Inventors: Edward H. Green, Addison; Herbert Benedict, Park Forest, both of I11.

Assignee: Edward H. Green, Addison, 111.

Filed: Jan. 6, 1970 Appl. No.: 104,434

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 817,302, April 18, 1969.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Madeira 220/85P X Hibbs Michel Vollers ..220/85 P X [11] 3,729,316 [451 Apr. 24, 1973 Gach ..220/60 R Gach ..222/l82 X [57] ABSTRACT A reusable, tamperproof cap is provided for an aerosol container having a spray nozzle located in a well in its top. The cap comprises an inner body portion that surrounds and protects the spray nozzle; a circular rim extending radially from the body; and an outer skirt portion that depends from the rim and fits within the interior of the well. Interlocking means comprising a protrusion on the exterior of the skirt that engages a groove in the interior of the well locks the cap in the well and prevents manual removal of the cap from the container without the use of a tool. A vertical opening is provided through the rim so that a suitable prying tool may be inserted downwardly into the vertical space between the cap and the inner side surface of the well, whereupon a downwardly rotating prying action will disengage the interlocking means and remove the cap from the container.

17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented April 24, 1913 3,729,116

2 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTORS EDWARD H. GREEN HERBERT BENEDICT REUSABLE TAMPERPROOF CAP FOR AEROSOL DllfiPENSllNG CONTAINERS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application, Ser. No. 817,302, filed Apr. 18, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to a cap for a dispensing container and more particularly to a reusable, tamperproof cap for an aerosol container wherein a spray nozzle is mounted in a recess or well in the top of the container.

2. Description of the Prior Art In recent years an increasing number of products has come to be distributed in aerosol containers, as can easily be seen, for example, by reference to the shelves of any neighborhood supermarket. Although aerosol containers have grown in popularity because of the convenience they provide, their use presents certain problems to distributors of aerosol-packaged products and to end users of such products.

For instance, it has become a prevalent practice among shoppers to test aerosol containers prior to purchase to determine if their valve means are in working order or to sample the products they contain. Such unauthorized activity frequently results in a tested container becoming unsaleable due to depletion of its contents, attendant damage or visual signs of prior use which render the particular container unacceptable to subsequent customers. Furthermore, the valve means employed on such containers are easily damaged, for example through the dropping of the container. Yet another problem has been that of the unauthorized and sometimes dangerous use of aerosol containers after purchase, particularly by small children, when the container contains a potentially harmful product such as a paint or an adhesive.

Attempts to solve the above-mentioned problems have involved the use of variously designed caps to cover the spray nozzle or valve means on aerosol containers; however, heretofore these problems have been thought to require inconsistent solutions, and the caps of the prior art have solved only one, or at most two, of the problems discussed above.

In order to facilitate the explanation of the various types of caps that have been used previously it may be helpful to review briefly the structure of most aerosol containers on which such caps are used.

To begin with, aerosol containers generally comprise a cylindrical container of some sort that is adapted to hold the product to be dispensed. Such a container has a closed bottom and terminates in an upper circular edge. A top section taking roughly the form of a truncated cone is mounted over the top of the container, with the lower edge of the cone being attached to the upper edge of the container thus forming what will hereinafter be referred to as an outer rim. The formation of an outer rim usually produces an annular groove on the inside of the rim and an annular ridge that protrudes outwardly from the outside of the rim. The upper edge of the top section comprises a circular opening of a lesser diameter than the lower edge and forms an opening for the insertion of a spray nozzle is mounted in a recessed well in the top section of the 2 container with the upper edge of the well being permanently attached to the upper edge of the top section thus forming what will hereinafter be referred to as an inner rim. The inner rim is formed by rolling the upper of the well and top section together and this produces an annular crown at the top of the well.

Protective caps may be of two basic types caps that are attached to the outer rim and caps that are attached to the inner rim of the aerosol container. With respect to caps that are attached to the outer rim several different types of caps have been developed, yet none of the caps has been completely effective in overcoming the aforementioned problems with aerosol containers. All of the caps provide protection for the spray mechanism before the product of purchased, but only some of the caps are re-usable so as to protect the spray mechanism after the initial use of the product, and none of the caps is sufficiently tamperproof to prevent manual removal of the cap (i.e., removal of the cap without the use of a separate tool).

One type of outer rim cap finding common application is a plastic cap that is locked on the container by means of frangible elements which must be broken in order to remove the cap. Some of these caps are initially tamperproof (i.e., removable only with the aid of a prying tool) and some are not. In addition, some of these caps are constructed so that they may be re-used after their initial removal; however, none of these caps is tamperproof after the initial removal of the cap, so they are ineffective in one of the most important respects, namely, preventing access to children.

Attempts have been made to design other types of caps adapted to fit on the outer rim that are both tamperproof and re-usable, but none of these caps has met with complete success. One type of cap has been designed to fit on the inside edge of the outer rim in a groove formed between the outer rim and the top section, but this type of top requires an adhesive lining in the groove in order to hold the cap in place. The adhesive, of course, has a limited useful life and does not provide sufficient force to prevent removal of the cap without the use of a tool.

Another type of outer rim cap that is supposedly both tamperproof and re-usable is designed to be snapped over the outer rim and be secured in place by means of the annular ridge that extends outwardly from the outer rim. This type of cap, likewise, is not truly tamperproof. Because such caps are fitted over the outer rim they must be fairly large and therefore they provide a large gripping surface and plenty of leverage for the manual removal of the cap. Moreover, the ridge on the outside of the outer rim of most aerosol containers is quite narrow, so it is difficult to form a cap that will fit over the outer rim securely, especially after repeated removal of the cap from the container.

In addition to the aforementioned outer rim caps, several caps also have been designed for attachment to the inner rim of the container. In view of the smaller diameter of the inner rim, these caps may be smaller and may, therefore, provide less leverage for the efficient manual removal of the cap. Moreover, most such caps are either of the frangible variety discussed above or they are not designed to be tamperproof so they provide an advantage over the outer rim caps. In addition, tamperproof caps that are designed for attachment to the inner rim are difficult to remove and have limited prospects for re-use after first removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing deficiencies in the prior art are overcome and several additional advantages are achieved with the re-usable tamperproof cap of the present invention.

Briefly, the invention relates to an improved reusable tamperproof cap for use as a protective cover for a spray nozzle in an aerosol container wherein the spray nozzle is mounted in a recessed well in the top of the container and wherein the upper edge of the recessed well is attached to the top of the container and forms an annular crown at the top of the well.

The present invention comprises an inverted cupshaped body portion that covers and protects the spray nozzle or other dispensing mechanism of the container; a skirt section that depends into the well past the annular crown; and interlocking means adapted to hold the cap in position on the container. Preferably the skirt section comprises a rim that extends from the body radially outwardly past the top of the annular crown so as to cover substantially the opening defined by the annular crown (i.e., the well in an aerosol container); and an annular skirt having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the annular rim, with the annular skirt being attached to the underside of the rim and depending past the annular rim into the well of the container. The interlocking means comprise an annular groove or recess beneath the annular crown in the well and an annular bead that extends radially outwardly from the lower portion of the skirt such that when the cap is in its tamperproof position the bead fits into the groove in the well.

The cap may be removed from the well by means of a vertical tool access opening in the skirt section that permits a prying tool to be inserted vertically downwardly into the well between the cap and the annular crown of the well, whereby a prying action exerted on the prying tool, using the annular crown as a fulcrum, will disengage the locking mechanism and effect removal of the cap from the well.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention the vertical opening in the skirt section may take one of two forms. In one embodiment, the opening extends radially inwardly from the outer edge of the rim to a point on the interior of the annular crown and downwardly from the top of the rim into the skirt to a point below the top of the annular crown, with the inner surface of the opening forming a bevelled surface extending from the body portion of the cap adjacent the point of attachment of the rim to the body downwardly and outwardly to the outside of the skirt. The bevelled surface acts as a guide for a prying tool inserted in the opening whereby the prying tool is guided downwardly and radially outwardly to the vertical space between the outside wall of the skirt and the inside wall of the well. When the tool is inserted down- 7 wardly into this space between the two walls and the prying tool is pivoted using the top of the annular crown as a fulcrum, the lower portion of the skirt is temporarily deflected so as to disengage the interlocking means and effect removal of the cap from the well. A narrow transverse thinned part in the bevelled surface along the innermost point of attachment of the skirt to the rim facilitates the deflection of the skirt by the prying tool.

Another embodiment of the present invention contemplates a vertical opening in the rim which is substantially the same as the vertical opening in the rim of the first embodiment; however, the bevelled surface in the rim does not continue on through the outer skirt. Instead, the opening in the skirt is extended downwardly to a point just above the bead on the outside of the skirt thereby forming an aperture between the opening in the rim and the bead through the outer skirt wall. Moreover, the body which extends downwardly past the rim substantially to the bottom of the cap is provided with a slot therein aligned with the openings in the rim and the skirt. This makes it possible for the prying tool to extend all the way through the body into the interior of the cap as the prying tool is pivoted against the annular crown in the process of removing the cap from the container.

The present invention provides many advantages over the caps of the prior art. First, because the cap fits within the well of the container, the cap may be quite small and hence provides no significant leverage for manual removal of the cap. Thus, the cap may be truly tamperproof. Another advantage of the present invention is that, although the cap is truly tamperproof, it may be removed easily by means of a suitable prying tool without any of the disadvantages of the cap removal means of the prior art devices. Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, the prying tool may be inserted through an opening in the cap inside of the rim from a substantially vertical direction and then rotated to a substantially horizontal direction using the rim as a fulcrum. Since the prying tool is inserted from a substantially vertical disposition into the well, the prying tool may be inserted substantially further into the cap than was possible with the prior art devices; hence, considerably more leverage is obtained for effecting removal. There is virtually no danger of the prying tool slipping out of the opening while the cap is being removed and thereby gouging the person who is attempting to remove the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cap constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in its tamperproof position on an aerosol container;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cap shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 of FIG. 2 showing the cap in its tamperproof position in the well of the container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the cap in its tamperproof position in the well of the container;

FIGS. 5-7 are views of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4, progressively showing how the cap is removed from its tamperproof position by prying means;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a cap constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the cap in its tamperproof position in the well of the container and showing the prying means in its initial position after being inserted downwardly into the cap; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views of the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, progressively showing how the cap is removed from its tamperproof position by the prying means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a reusuable, tamperproof or pry-off cap 12 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in its tamperproof position on top of an aerosol container 14 of the type commonly used in the distribution of a myriad of household and industrial products. Container 14 comprises a generally cylindrical body portion 16 and a frustoconicai top 18. As best seen in FIG. 3, container 14 further comprises an annular well 20, located in top section 18 and adapted to position a spray or dispensing means 22 in the top of container 14. The outer walls 24 of well has an outwardly directed flange portion 26, which is rolled over the upper edge of top section 118 to form a crown 28 on container 14. Below crown 28, outer wall 24 is expanded radially outwardly to provide first interlocking means in the interior of well 20 which are adapted to interact with second interlocking means (hereinafter described) on cap 12 to secure the cap against manual removal without a prying tool from container 14 when cap 12 is in its tamperproof position. The first interlocking means preferably comprise a continuous annular receiving groove 30 (FIG. 7), but these means can take a different form in accordance with the present invention. For example, a bead could be provided on the interior of the well extending radially toward the axis of the cap and adapted to mate with suitable interlocking means on the cap 12. Other arrangements of the first interlocking means will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

As shown in FIG. 3, cap 12, which is preferably formed of a resilient plastic such as polyethylene, comprises a generally cylindrical body portion 32 having an external diameter substantially smaller than the interior diameter of well 20. Body 32 has an upper closed end 34 integral therewith and is adapted closely to surround and cover spray or dispensing means 22 extending from the center of the well 20 to protect these means from damage due to mishandling of the container and to prevent unauthorized access thereto when cap 12 is in its tamperproof position (as shown in FIG. 3). Attached to the exterior of body 32 at a point intermediate its axial ends is an annular rim 36 lying in a generally horizontal plane and extending radially outwardly from body 32. The external diameter of rim 36 is greater than the diameter of well 20 and the rim is adapted to seat upon crown 28 when cap 12 is in its tamperproof position. The rim is positioned on body 32 so that when it is seated upon crown 28 the lower portion 38 of body 32 extends substantially to the bottom of well 20 and the upper portion 40 of body 32 extends to a height in excess of the axial height of spray of dispensing means 22. By reason of its contact with the bottom of well 20, lower portion 38 serves to prevent upper portion 40 of cap 12 from making contact with and thereby depressing spray means 22, thus inadvertently releasing the contents of container 14, in the event of accidental jarring of the cap.

Attached to the underside of annular rim 36 at a point adjacent its outer edge is an annular, vertically depending skirt 42 which normally has a generally cylindrical configuration. The external diameter of skirt 42 is slightly less than the internal diameter of well 20 and skirt 42 is adapted to fit tightly within the interior of well 20 when cap 112 is in its tamperproof position.

The axial length of skirt 42 is approximately the same as that of the lower portion 38 of body 32 and thus the skirt extends substantially to the bottom of well 20 when cap 12 is in its tamperproof position on top of container 14. An annular, generally outwardly projecting bead 44 (FIG. 7) formed on the exterior surface of the skirt 42 adjacent its bottom provides second interlocking means to mate with the previously described first interlocking means on the interior of well 20. The bead 44 is positioned on the skirt 42 so as to snap into the receiving groove 30, on the interior of the well 20 thereby preventing cap 112 from being moved from container 114 by manual force without a tool i.e to render the cap tamperproof. Thus, when cap 12 is positioned in well 20 as shown in FIG. 1, the engagement of annular bead 44 in receiving groove 30 resists the removal of cap 12 by the application of a manual force in either an axial or a transverse direction.

Alternatively the first and second interlocking means could be reversed with the receiving groove being provided in the exterior surface of the skirt 42 and the annular bead being formed on the vertical wall of the well 20 on its interior. Moreover, the continuous bead could be replaced by a series of circumferentially spaced protuberances without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Cap 112 is adapted to be removed from container 14 only through the employment of a suitable prying tool 48 (shown schematically in FIGS. 5-7) such as a screwdriver. When cap 12 is in its tamperproof position, rim 36 covers substantially the entire entrance to well 20 conceals the skirt 42; however, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of rim 36 is cut away to form a vertical tool access opening 46 in the rim thereby exposing portions of the circumference of crown 28 and skirt 42. Beneath vertical opening 46 a portion of the top of skirt 42 also is removed to provide a bevelled surface 47 (as shown in FIG. 4). The bevelled surface 47 extends generally outwardly and downwardly from the body of the cap and, when cap 12 is in its tamperproof position surface 47 intersects the exterior vertical surface of the skirt 42 along a line below crown 28 of well 20. The blade of a suitable prying tool 48 (Le, a screwdriver blade) is inserted vertically downwardly through the tool access opening 46 in the rim and is guided by bevelled surface 47 into the vertical space between the external surface of skirt 42 and the internal surface of wall 24 of the well 20, as shown in FIG. 5. The wedging of prying tool or screwdriver blade 48 into this space causes the portion of skirt 2 underlying cut-away portion 46 of rim 36 to be deflected inwardly toward the axis of cap 12. A thinned section 49 (FIG. 2) is provided generally along the line of attachment of skirt 42 to rim 36 within the breadth of tool access opening 46 in order to permit the skirt 42 to deflect without fracture. The deflection of skirt 42 in turn causes a corresponding portion of bead 44 to disengage from receiving groove 30 and thus releases cap 12 from its tamperproof relationship with container 14. As shown progressively in FIGS. 6 and 7, the subsequent rotation of prying tool 48 in a direction away from the axis of cap 12 about the exposed portion of crown 28 as pivot causes the cap to be lifted from the interior of well 20 and separates it from container 14.

Because cap 12 is preferably formed of a resilient plastic, following its removal from container 14, the portion of skirt 42 deflected in the prying operation springs back to its original position and skirt 42 resumes its normally cylindrical configuration. Cap 12 may therefore be subsequently fitted into well 20 whereupon bead 44 will again snap into receiving groove 30 to render the container tamperproof.

By reference to FIG. 1 it will be seen that because cap 12, in accordance with the preferred practice of the present invention, is adapted to fit within well 20 and, in its tamperproof position rise to a height only just above spray or dispensing means 22, a nontamperproof overcap (not shown) of the type well known in the art can be placed over cap 12 to cover the entire top of container 14.

A second embodiment of a tamperproof cap 12' constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8-10. For convenient reference, elements of the second embodiment that are substantially the same as corresponding elements of the first embodiment described above will be designated by the same numerals used for the first embodiment with the exception that the numerals will be primed in order to distinguish the two embodiments.

As in the first embodiment, cap 12' comprises a cylindrical body portion 32'; an upper closed end 34' integral therewith; an annular rim 36' extending radially from the body; and a skirt 42 depending from the rim. An interlocking structure comprising an annular bead 44 extends radially outwardly from the lower edge of skirt 42. When the cap is in its tamperproof position on a container 14' bead 44' fits in a groove 30 in a recessed well 20' in the top section 18' of the container 14'. Rim 36' extends radially beyond a crown 28' forming the upper edge of well 20' so that the rim rests on crown 28'when the cap is in its tamperproof position.

The second embodiment of the present invention is also similar to the first embodiment in that a vertical tool access opening 46' also is formed in the rim in order to provide access for a prying tool 48' such as a screwdriver or the link; however, the second embodiment of the present invention contemplates the enlargement of opening 46' so as to provide even greater thrust of tool 48 and therefore even greater access to the interior of the cap than is available with the first embodiment.

In addition to opening 46' in the rim, the second embodiment of the present invention also comprises a vertical opening 50 in skirt 42' that extends downwardly from the rim to an upper edge of bead 44. Further, the portion of body 32 beneath rim 36 and adjacent openings 46' and 50 is cut away to form an open slot 52 in the body thereby permitting the insertion of a prying tool all the way through the body of the cap and into the open interior of the cap.

It should be noted that the greater thrust of tool 48' into the cap 12 enables the tapered portion of the shank of tool 48 to be wedged in between crown 28 which serves as a fulcrum or pivot point for tool 48' and body portion 32 and this relationship minimizes any tendency of tool 48 to slip against crown 28 (i.e., to the right in FIGS. 8-10) as tool 48 is manipulated and thereby to slip out of cap 12 and perhaps gouge the manipulator.

Several advantages are achieved by constructing the cap in this manner. First, as with the first embodiment, the prying implement is inserted in substantially vertical direction (as shown in FIGS. and 8) and this minimizes the possibility that the implement will slip out of the opening in the cap and gouge the person removing the cap. Moreover, since the prying implement in the embodiment is permitted to extend all the way through the body and into the open interior of the cap it is virtually impossible for the prying tool to slip out of the opening as the cap is being pried off.

In some prior devices of the same general type the prying tool must be inserted into the cap in a horizontal direction and no opening is provided into the interior of the cap. Accordingly, it is likely with this type of cap that the prying instrument may slip out of the shallow opening in the cap, glance horizontally across the top of the container and gouge the person attempting to remove the cap as he applies pressure to the instrument.

It should be noted in this context that the use of a horizontal access opening for the prying tool makes it desirable to have a closed barrier between the spray nozzle and the prying tool. Since the prying tool is inserted horizontally into the opening, there is a danger that without a protective barrier a person could well extend the instrument too far into the opening so as to strike and damage the delicate spray nozzle on the container. With the vertical insertion feature of the present invention the possibility of damaging the spray nozzle in this manner is, of course, not likely since the prying tool is not directed at the spray nozzle as it is inserted into the opening.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the opening provided in the cap permits the leverage force applied in moving the cap to be exerted on a reinforced surface, namely, on the body of the cap rather than merely on the horizontal rim. When a prying force is exerted repeatedly solely on the rim the rim tends to deform and tear thereby destroying the usefulness of the cap as a reusable device.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arrangements taught herein are merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the subject invention and that additional changes, modifications and variations may be made in the arrangements shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

We claim:

1. For use on a container having dispensing or spray means positionedin a cylindrical well maintained in the top of the container, the well having an annular crown rising above the top of the container, a vertical wall and first interlocking means in its interior located in the vertical wall, a re-usable tamperproof cap formed of resilient plastic adapted to be pried from the container by a suitable prying tool, comprising:

a generally cylindrical body having an upper closed (I intergral therewith, the external diameter of said body being substantially smaller than the diameter of said body being adapted to cover the spray means and protect same;

an annular rim having an external diameter sufficiently large to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well and having a portion of its circumference cut away;

annular skirt means attached to said annular rim and adapted to be wedged tightly within the well;

second interlocking means on said skirt means adapted to engage the first interlocking means in the vertical wall of the well whereby the cap may be rendered tamperproof; and

the cut away portion of the circumference of the annular rim providing tool access means, for said prying tool and being adapted to permit the prying tool to be inserted vertically downwardly into the well between the said vertical wall of the well and cap whereby the exertion of a prying force on the prying tool rotating from a vertical to a horizontal disposition causes said second interlocking means to disengage from the first interlocking means in the well and effects the removal of the cap from the container.

2. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 1, comprising a generally horizontal annular rim attached to and extending generally radially from the exterior surface of said body and an annular skirt attached to the underside of said rim and depending therefrom into the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position.

3. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim ll, wherein:

the external diameter of said annular rim is greater than the diameter of the well and said skirt is positioned on the underside of said rim radially inwardly of its outer edge, said rim being adapted to seat upon the upper edge of said vertical wall and to close off substantially the entire entrance to the well; and

said tool access means comprise a vertical access opening formed in said skirt means that extends inwardly from the outer edge of said annular rim to a point radially inward of the said vertical wall of the well and extends downwardly from the upper surface of the rim past the upper edge of the said vertical wall and into said skirt.

4. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said body extends downwardly past the rim substantially to the bottom of the well and has a slot formed therein aligned with the vertical access opening in the skirt means whereby a prying tool inserted through said vertical access opening may be extended through said slot and into the interior of the cap as a prying force is exerted on the prying tool.

5. A re-usable tamperproof cap as claimed in claim ll wherein:

said first interlocking means comprise an annular groove in said vertical wall; and

said second interlocking means comprise an annular bead on the outside of the lower portion of said skirt, said bead being positioned so as to fit into the groove when the cap is in its tamperproof position; and

said vertical access opening extends downwardly in the skirt to a point adjacent to the top of said bead.

6. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool access means comprises a bevelled surface on the upper portion of said annular rim and skirt, said bevelled surface extending outwardly and downwardly from a line in the top of said rim and skirt adjacent the body to the vertical exterior surface of said skirt along a line below the top of the wall of the well, whereby said bevelled surface guides and provides an entrance for the insertion of the prying tool into the vertical, annular space between the said vertical wall of the well and the exterior surface of said skirt.

7. A re-usable, tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said annular rim is attached to and extends generally radially from the exterior surface of said body and said annular skirt is attached to the underside of said rim and depends therefrom into the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position; and

said bevelled surface extends from the body adjacent the point of attachment of the rim to the body downwardly and outwardly to the outside of the skirt, passing adjacent the innermost point of attachment of the skirt to the rim.

8. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bevelled surface comprises a narrow transverse thinned part along the innermost point of attachment of the skirt to the rim, whereby the portion of the skirt adjacent the prying tool may be deflected easily by the exertion of a prying force on the prying tool in order to remove the cap from the container.

9. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said first interlocking means comprise an annular receiving groove formed in the interior of the well its vertical wall; and

said second interlocking means comprise an annular head attached to the exterior surface of said depending skirt below the point of intersection of said bevelled surface therewith, said annular bead extending generally radially from the exterior surface of said skirt and being adapted to snap into the receiving groove in the well, whereby the cap may be rendered tamperproof.

it). For use on a container having spray or dispensing means positioned in a cylindrical well maintained in the top of the container, the well having an annular crown rising above the top of the container and a circular, radially outwardly extending receiving groove in the interior of the well located in its vertical wall adjacent its bottom a re-usable tamperproof cap, formed of resil' ient plastic, adapted to be pried from its tamperproof position on the container by suitable prying means, the cap comprising:

a generally cylindrical body, having an upper closed end integral therewith, the external diameter of said body being substantially smaller than the diameter of the well, said body being adapted to fit over the spray means positioned in the well to cover and protect same when the cap is in its tamperproof position;

an annular rim having an external diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the well, said rim being adapted to seat upon the annular crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position and to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well and having a portion of its circumference cut away to provide an entrance for suitable prying means to be inserted into the well; generally cylindrical, vertically depending skirt attached to the underside of said rim adjacent its outer edge, said skirt having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the well and being adapted to fit tightly within the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said skirt surrounding, but spaced from the portion of said body below said rim and having a bevelled surface beneath the cut-away portion of said rim, said bevelled surface extending from a line in the top of said skirt adjacent its point of attachment to said rim generally outwardly and downwardly so as to intersect the vertical exterior surface of said skirt at a line below the crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said bevelled surface being adapted to provide a guide and entrance for the insertion of prying means into the well; an annular bead, connected to the exterior surface of said skirt below the intersection of said bevelled surface therewith extending generally radially outwardly therefrom, said head being adapted to snap into the receiving groove in the interior of the well whereby the cap is in a tamperproof relationship with the container; and wherein the cut-away portion of said annular rim and said bevelled surface are adapted to permit suitable prying means to be wedged into the axial annular space between the prying means to be wedged into the axial annular space between the vertical wall of the well and the exterior surface of said cylindrical skirt positioned within the well whereby the pivotal rotation of the prying means about the crown as a fulcrum temporarily deforms said skirt in the direction of the axis of the cap and causes said annular bead to be pulled from the receiving groove in the well to permit removal of the cap from its tamperproof position and permit its separation from the container. 11. A re-usable tamperproof cap as claimed in claim wherein said cap is formed of resilient polyethylene. 12. A re-usable tamperproof cap for a container wherein a spray or dispensing nozzle is mounted in an annular well in the top of the container with said well having a circular upper edge comprising an annular crown, said cap comprising:

an inverted cup-shaped body that covers the spray nozzle and fits within the annular crown; an annular rim attached to the body that extends outwardly therefrom and having an external diameter sufficiently large to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well, said rim having a portion of its circumference cut away to form a vertical opening therein that extends from the outer edge of the rim to a point inward of the annular crown, such that a prying tool may be inserted vertically downwardly into the well through said opening between said point and the annular crown; an annular skirt having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the annular crown, said skirt being attached to the rim so as to extend downwardly into the well; and interlocking means attached to the portion of the skirt that extends into the well, said means being adapted resiliently to hold the cap in the well when the skirt is extended into the well, said interlocking means being further adapted to release the cap from the container whenever a prying tool is inserted into the well through the vertical opening in the rim and a prying force is exerted on the prying tool using the annular crown as a fulcrum. 13. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

an opening is formed in the skirt immediately below the opening in the rim, said opening extending downwardly from the rim to a point adjacent the interlocking means; and said body extends downwardly past the rim substantially to the bottom of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said body having a slot formed therein aligned with the openings in the rim and the skirt, with said slot extending upwardly from the bottom of the body to the rim,

whereby a prying tool inserted through the opening in the rim will extend through said slot into the interior of the cap as the prying tool is fulcrummed on the annular crown.

14. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said rim extends beyond the inner edge of the annular crown, such that the opening in the rim is the only means by which a tool may be inserted downwardly into the well; and

said interlocking means comprise an annular groove in the well below the annular crown and an annular bead on the outside of the lower edge of the skirt, said bead being formed so as to fit into said groove when the cap is in its tamperproof position.

15. A re-usable tamperproof cap for a container wherein a dispensing mechanism is surrounded by an annular crown, said cap comprising:

a body that covers the dispensing mechanism;

an annular rim attached to the body that extends radially outwardly therefrom so as to cover the annular crown and having an external diameter sufficiently large to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well and having a portion of its circumference cut away;

an annular skirt having a smaller diameter than the annular crown, said skirt being attached to the underside of the rim and extending downwardly therefrom past the annular crown;

interlocking means attached to the skirt below the annular crown, said means being adapted resiliently to hold the cap on the top of the container; and

the cut away portion of the circumference of the annular rim providing a vertical tool access opening in the top of the rim, said opening being sufficiently large to permit the entry of prying tool downwardly through said opening adjacent the inner wall of the annular crown,

whereby the cap may be removed by exerting a prying force on the prying tool, using the annular crown as a fulcrum for the application of this force.

16. A re-usable tamperproof cap for an aerosol container wherein a spray nozzle is mounted in a recessed well in the top of the container, with the well having a circular upper edge comprising annular crown and with the well comprising an annular groove below the annular crown, said cap being formed of a resilient plastic and comprising:

a generally cylindrical body, having a closed upper end integral therewith, the external diameter of said body being smaller than the diameter of the well, said body being adapted to fit over the spray nozzle and extend downwardly substantially to the bottom of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position;

an annular rim having an external diameter larger than the internal diameter of the annular crown, said rim being attached to said body at a position such that the rim seats upon the annular crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position thereby closing off the interior of the well, said rim further comprising vertical opening therein that extends from the outer edge of the rim inwardly to a point sufiiciently inward of the annular crown to permit the insertion of a prying tool vertically downwardly into the well through said opening a generally cylindrical, vertically depending skirt attached to the underside of said rim adjacent its outer edge, said skirt having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the well such that the skirt fits tightly within the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position and said skirt having an inner diameter such that said skirt surrounds but is spaced from the portion of said body below said rim, said skirt further comprising an opening therein beneath the opening in the rim, said opening extending downwardly from the rim to a lower portion of the skirt;

an annular bead connected to the exterior surface of the lower portion of said skirt, said bead being positioned such that the bead fits into the groove in the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position; and

the portion of said body extending into the well comprises a slot formed therein aligned with the openings in the rim and skirt, said slot extending from the bottom of the body upwardly to the rim and being adapted to permit a prying tool inserted into said opening in said rim to be extended through said slot and into the interior of the cap as a prying force is exerted on the prying tool.

17. A re-usable tamperproof cap or aerosol container wherein a spray nozzle is mounted in a recessed well in the top of the container, with the well having a circular upper edge comprising an annular crown and with the well comprising an annular groove below the annular crown, said cap being formed of a resilient plastic and comprising:

a generally cylindrical body, having a closed upper end integral therewith, the external diameter of said body being smaller than the diameter of the well, said body being adapted to fit over the spray nozzle and extend downwardly substantially to the bottom of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position;

an annular rim having an external diameter larger than the internal diameter of the annular crown, said rim being attached to said body at a position such that the rim seats upon the annular crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position thereby closing off the interior of the well, said rim further comprising a vertical opening therein that extends from the outer edge of the rim inwardly to a point sufficiently inward of the annular crown to permit the insertion of a prying tool vertically downwardly into the well through said opening; generally cylindrical, vertically depending skirt attached to the underside of said rim adjacent its outer edge, said skirt having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the well such that the skirt fits tightly within the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position and said skirt having an inner diameter such that said skirt surrounds but is spaced from the portion of said body below said rim, an annular bead connected to the exterior surface of the lower portion of said skirt, said head being positioned such that the bead fits in the groove in the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said skirt further comprising an opening therein beneath the opening in the aligned therewith, said opening extending downwardly from the rim to a lower portion of the skirt and being adapted to permit a prying tool to be inserted into said vertical opening in said rim and said opening in said skirt.

- UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE f CERTIFICATE OF C-ORRECTIQN PATENT NO. I v3 729,116 DATED INVENTOR(S) 2 April 24, 1973 Edward H. Green et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent I is hereby corrected as shown below; I

. Column 1, line 6, "Jam 6, 1970" should read Jan. 6, 1971 Column 2, line 64, "an" should read no Column 6, line 51, "skirt 2' should read skirt 42 Column 8, line 552, before "intergal" Cancel "d".

Column 8, line 54, after-"of" should read the well,

Column 9, line 37, after "means" insert a Column 11, lines 11-13, cancel "prying means tobe wedged into the axial annular space between the" first occurrence.

Column 14, line 26, "in" should read into Column 14, line 29, after "in the" should read rim and --1 0 v Signed and Sealed this,

Second Day of December I980 'I A I Amst:

SIDNEY A. DIAMOND 

1. For use on a container having dispensing or spray means positioned in a cylindrical well maintained in the top of the container, the well having an annular crown rising aBove the top of the container, a vertical wall and first interlocking means in its interior located in the vertical wall, a re-usable tamperproof cap formed of resilient plastic adapted to be pried from the container by a suitable prying tool, comprising: a generally cylindrical body having an upper closed d intergral therewith, the external diameter of said body being substantially smaller than the diameter of said body being adapted to cover the spray means and protect same; an annular rim having an external diameter sufficiently large to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well and having a portion of its circumference cut away; annular skirt means attached to said annular rim and adapted to be wedged tightly within the well; second interlocking means on said skirt means adapted to engage the first interlocking means in the vertical wall of the well whereby the cap may be rendered tamperproof; and the cut away portion of the circumference of the annular rim providing tool access means, for said prying tool and being adapted to permit the prying tool to be inserted vertically downwardly into the well between the said vertical wall of the well and cap whereby the exertion of a prying force on the prying tool rotating from a vertical to a horizontal disposition causes said second interlocking means to disengage from the first interlocking means in the well and effects the removal of the cap from the container.
 2. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 1, comprising a generally horizontal annular rim attached to and extending generally radially from the exterior surface of said body and an annular skirt attached to the underside of said rim and depending therefrom into the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position.
 3. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the external diameter of said annular rim is greater than the diameter of the well and said skirt is positioned on the underside of said rim radially inwardly of its outer edge, said rim being adapted to seat upon the upper edge of said vertical wall and to close off substantially the entire entrance to the well; and said tool access means comprise a vertical access opening formed in said skirt means that extends inwardly from the outer edge of said annular rim to a point radially inward of the said vertical wall of the well and extends downwardly from the upper surface of the rim past the upper edge of the said vertical wall and into said skirt.
 4. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said body extends downwardly past the rim substantially to the bottom of the well and has a slot formed therein aligned with the vertical access opening in the skirt means whereby a prying tool inserted through said vertical access opening may be extended through said slot and into the interior of the cap as a prying force is exerted on the prying tool.
 5. A re-usable tamperproof cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first interlocking means comprise an annular groove in said vertical wall; and said second interlocking means comprise an annular bead on the outside of the lower portion of said skirt, said bead being positioned so as to fit into the groove when the cap is in its tamperproof position; and said vertical access opening extends downwardly in the skirt to a point adjacent to the top of said bead.
 6. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool access means comprises a bevelled surface on the upper portion of said annular rim and skirt, said bevelled surface extending outwardly and downwardly from a line in the top of said rim and skirt adjacent the body to the vertical exterior surface of said skirt along a line below the top of the wall of the well, whereby said bevelled surface guides and provides an entrance for the insertion of the prying tool into the vertical, annular space between the said vertical wall of the well and the exterior surface of said skirt.
 7. A re-usable, tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said annular rim is attached to and extends generally radially from the exterior surface of said body and said annular skirt is attached to the underside of said rim and depends therefrom into the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position; and said bevelled surface extends from the body adjacent the point of attachment of the rim to the body downwardly and outwardly to the outside of the skirt, passing adjacent the innermost point of attachment of the skirt to the rim.
 8. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bevelled surface comprises a narrow transverse thinned part along the innermost point of attachment of the skirt to the rim, whereby the portion of the skirt adjacent the prying tool may be deflected easily by the exertion of a prying force on the prying tool in order to remove the cap from the container.
 9. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said first interlocking means comprise an annular receiving groove formed in the interior of the well its vertical wall; and said second interlocking means comprise an annular bead attached to the exterior surface of said depending skirt below the point of intersection of said bevelled surface therewith, said annular bead extending generally radially from the exterior surface of said skirt and being adapted to snap into the receiving groove in the well, whereby the cap may be rendered tamperproof.
 10. For use on a container having spray or dispensing means positioned in a cylindrical well maintained in the top of the container, the well having an annular crown rising above the top of the container and a circular, radially outwardly extending receiving groove in the interior of the well located in its vertical wall adjacent its bottom a re-usable tamperproof cap, formed of resilient plastic, adapted to be pried from its tamperproof position on the container by suitable prying means, the cap comprising: a generally cylindrical body, having an upper closed end integral therewith, the external diameter of said body being substantially smaller than the diameter of the well, said body being adapted to fit over the spray means positioned in the well to cover and protect same when the cap is in its tamperproof position; an annular rim having an external diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the well, said rim being adapted to seat upon the annular crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position and to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well and having a portion of its circumference cut away to provide an entrance for suitable prying means to be inserted into the well; a generally cylindrical, vertically depending skirt attached to the underside of said rim adjacent its outer edge, said skirt having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the well and being adapted to fit tightly within the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said skirt surrounding, but spaced from the portion of said body below said rim and having a bevelled surface beneath the cut-away portion of said rim, said bevelled surface extending from a line in the top of said skirt adjacent its point of attachment to said rim generally outwardly and downwardly so as to intersect the vertical exterior surface of said skirt at a line below the crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said bevelled surface being adapted to provide a guide and entrance for the insertion of prying means into the well; an annular bead, connected to the exterior surface of said skirt below the intersection of said bevelled surface therewith extending generally radially outwardly therefrom, said bead being adapted to snap into the receiving groove in the interior of the well whereby the cap is in a tamperproof relationship with the container; and wherein the cut-away portion of said annular rim and said bevelled surface are adapted to permit suitable prying means to be wedged into the axial annular space between the prying means to be wedged into the axial annular space between the vertical wall of the well and the exterior surface of said cylindrical skirt positioned within the well whereby the pivotal rotation of the prying means about the crown as a fulcrum temporarily deforms said skirt in the direction of the axis of the cap and causes said annular bead to be pulled from the receiving groove in the well to permit removal of the cap from its tamperproof position and permit its separation from the container.
 11. A re-usable tamperproof cap as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cap is formed of resilient polyethylene.
 12. A re-usable tamperproof cap for a container wherein a spray or dispensing nozzle is mounted in an annular well in the top of the container with said well having a circular upper edge comprising an annular crown, said cap comprising: an inverted cup-shaped body that covers the spray nozzle and fits within the annular crown; an annular rim attached to the body that extends outwardly therefrom and having an external diameter sufficiently large to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well, said rim having a portion of its circumference cut away to form a vertical opening therein that extends from the outer edge of the rim to a point inward of the annular crown, such that a prying tool may be inserted vertically downwardly into the well through said opening between said point and the annular crown; an annular skirt having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the annular crown, said skirt being attached to the rim so as to extend downwardly into the well; and interlocking means attached to the portion of the skirt that extends into the well, said means being adapted resiliently to hold the cap in the well when the skirt is extended into the well, said interlocking means being further adapted to release the cap from the container whenever a prying tool is inserted into the well through the vertical opening in the rim and a prying force is exerted on the prying tool using the annular crown as a fulcrum.
 13. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: an opening is formed in the skirt immediately below the opening in the rim, said opening extending downwardly from the rim to a point adjacent the interlocking means; and said body extends downwardly past the rim substantially to the bottom of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said body having a slot formed therein aligned with the openings in the rim and the skirt, with said slot extending upwardly from the bottom of the body to the rim, whereby a prying tool inserted through the opening in the rim will extend through said slot into the interior of the cap as the prying tool is fulcrummed on the annular crown.
 14. A re-usable tamperproof cap, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said rim extends beyond the inner edge of the annular crown, such that the opening in the rim is the only means by which a tool may be inserted downwardly into the well; and said interlocking means comprise an annular groove in the well below the annular crown and an annular bead on the outside of the lower edge of the skirt, said bead being formed so as to fit into said groove when the cap is in its tamperproof position.
 15. A re-usable tamperproof cap for a container wherein a dispensing mechanism is surrounded by an annular crown, said cap comprising: a body that covers the dispensing mechanism; an annular rim attached to the body that extends radially outwardly therefrom so as to cover the annular crown and having an external diameter sufficiently large to close off a substantial portion of the entrance to the well and having a portion of its circumference cut away; an annular skirt having a smaller diameter than the annular crown, said skirt being attached to the underside of the rim and extending downwardly therefrom past the annular crown; interlocking means attached to the skirt below the annular crown, said means being adapted resiliently to hold the cap on the top of the container; and the cut away portion of the circumference of the annular rim providing a vertical tool access opening in the top of the rim, said opening being sufficiently large to permit the entry of prying tool downwardly through said opening adjacent the inner wall of the annular crown, whereby the cap may be removed by exerting a prying force on the prying tool, using the annular crown as a fulcrum for the application of this force.
 16. A re-usable tamperproof cap for an aerosol container wherein a spray nozzle is mounted in a recessed well in the top of the container, with the well having a circular upper edge comprising annular crown and with the well comprising an annular groove below the annular crown, said cap being formed of a resilient plastic and comprising: a generally cylindrical body, having a closed upper end integral therewith, the external diameter of said body being smaller than the diameter of the well, said body being adapted to fit over the spray nozzle and extend downwardly substantially to the bottom of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position; an annular rim having an external diameter larger than the internal diameter of the annular crown, said rim being attached to said body at a position such that the rim seats upon the annular crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position thereby closing off the interior of the well, said rim further comprising vertical opening therein that extends from the outer edge of the rim inwardly to a point sufficiently inward of the annular crown to permit the insertion of a prying tool vertically downwardly into the well through said opening a generally cylindrical, vertically depending skirt attached to the underside of said rim adjacent its outer edge, said skirt having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the well such that the skirt fits tightly within the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position and said skirt having an inner diameter such that said skirt surrounds but is spaced from the portion of said body below said rim, said skirt further comprising an opening therein beneath the opening in the rim, said opening extending downwardly from the rim to a lower portion of the skirt; an annular bead connected to the exterior surface of the lower portion of said skirt, said bead being positioned such that the bead fits into the groove in the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position; and the portion of said body extending into the well comprises a slot formed therein aligned with the openings in the rim and skirt, said slot extending from the bottom of the body upwardly to the rim and being adapted to permit a prying tool inserted into said opening in said rim to be extended through said slot and into the interior of the cap as a prying force is exerted on the prying tool.
 17. A re-usable tamperproof cap or aerosol container wherein a spray nozzle is mounted in a recessed well in the top of the container, with the well having a circular upper edge comprising an annular crown and with the well comprising an annular groove below the annular crown, said cap being formed of a resilient plastic and comprising: a generally cylindrical body, having a closed upper end integral therewith, the external diameter of said body being smaller than the diameter of the well, said body being adapted to fit over the spray nozzle and extend downwardly substantially to the bottom of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position; an annular rim having an external diameter larger than the internal diameter of the annular crown, said rim being attached to said body at a position such that the rim seats upon the annular crown of the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position thereby closing off the interioR of the well, said rim further comprising a vertical opening therein that extends from the outer edge of the rim inwardly to a point sufficiently inward of the annular crown to permit the insertion of a prying tool vertically downwardly into the well through said opening; a generally cylindrical, vertically depending skirt attached to the underside of said rim adjacent its outer edge, said skirt having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the well such that the skirt fits tightly within the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position and said skirt having an inner diameter such that said skirt surrounds but is spaced from the portion of said body below said rim, an annular bead connected to the exterior surface of the lower portion of said skirt, said bead being positioned such that the bead fits in the groove in the well when the cap is in its tamperproof position, said skirt further comprising an opening therein beneath the opening in the aligned therewith, said opening extending downwardly from the rim to a lower portion of the skirt and being adapted to permit a prying tool to be inserted into said vertical opening in said rim and said opening in said skirt. 